Charles Edwin Ray

Charles Edwin Ray, 58, of Roseburg, Oregon, passed away on October 8th, 2021 in Airway Heights, Washington, after a courageous battle with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS). Celebration of life will be October 30th ,2021 at a place yet to be determined. Charlie was born in Roseburg, Oregon to Emmett Homer Ray and Wilma Lyrell Gapen-Ray on 08-05-1963. Charlie graduated from Sutherland High School in Oregon in 1981. He then went on to join the Army Reserves for a short period. After leaving the military Charlie went on to logging around Oregon and the Pacific Northwest for many years to follow, he then went to work for a meat processing facility it was during this journey he met and Married Debra Clark Ray on August 12th, 2004. Shortly after marriage he moved to Winchester Bay, Oregon where he became a truck driver until he was diagnosed with MS. Charlie spent the last of his years valiantly battling PPMS, and before becoming unable to walk, enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and many other outdoor activities. He is preceded in death by his brother Marion Lee Ray, both parents, Emmett Homer Ray, and Wilma Lynell Gapen Ray. He is survived by sisters Deanne “Dino” Lynn Ray, Delores “Dee” Ann Lousignont, and Lisa “Sis” Inez Loma. He is also survived by his wife Debra Dawn Clark-Ray, children Sarah Lynn Valdez, Patricia Ann Clark, Sidney Robert James Clark, and Angela Dawn Brant. Charlie has numerous grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or National MS Society on behalf of Charlie.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.

By Maya Angelou